Narrative: This systematic review includes 9 trials and 58600 patients randomized to receive a fibrinolytic drug or placebo for suspected heart attack. Patients were enrolled based on strong suspicion of heart attack by the treating doctor. Most (76%) were men, and most had ST-elevations on their EKG (68%). There was an overall mortality benefit of 1.9% (9.6 vs. 11.5) in favor of fibrinolytics. There was also a 0.4% increase in hemorrhagic stroke (1.2 vs. 0.8). Benefit was demonstrably greater with earlier treatment, with the most benefit apparent for treatment given within a few hours of symptom onset. Benefits were smaller and less statistically robust in the 12 to 24 hour period. Patients with ST-depressions were harmed rather than helped.

Caveats: There was no gold standard to prove STEMI (e.g. catheterization or biomarkers) and some patients had normal EKG’s (5%). There is heterogeneity between trials, including inconsistency in the use of aspirin. However, groups appear to have been randomized well and treated equally with respect to other interventions.